Turn 3 4runners into 1

The 96The 93
hey there. I have this crazy idea of taking 3 $500 4runners and turning into one nice 1. I have a 96 3.4 auto 4x4 that doesnít run and itís a letís truck that Iím using the 3.4 out of. I have a 1993 3.0 auto 4x4 that my plan is to use little things off of for the engine swap and maybe some little parts i need to make the whole thing better. And finally a 88 3.0 manual 4x4 that is the end game. Been doing a lot of research and Iíve been building cars for about 15 years so Iím going to give this 1st gen a go. Going to document the build and ask for advice on here where I can.
The 88

Thatís the plan. Gutted the 96 today. Hoping someone comes and takes the rolling chassis so I can put the 88 in the garage and start peeping it for the 3.4. And the motor and trans can come out in one piece, which I was surprised it did.
Gutted everything I need for the 3.4. Pulled the dash just in case I need to swap the gauges plus someone might need to nice dash.

Put the 96 fender flares on the 88. They look pretty good I think. What do you guys think?

Looks good, but I suggest you fill the gap between flare and body with good sealant, or else it will trap dirt, moisture and cause rust. See how many fenders with the fender trim are rusted worse than with no trim?

While the 3.slow is so bulky, the 3.4L fits really well in the first-gen's engine compartment.
(Not my photo. Just saw it on Craigs List)

Ya the plan is to seal them up. Iím using them to cover bad rust on the fenders from the trim lol. And ya I canít wait to get started on the 3.4. But I want to get the 88 running with the 3.0 so I can drive it while I rebuild the 3.4.

The 88 has a 3.0 originally so itís pretty easy to swap in another one. The only problem Iím coming across is the wire connectors. 88 has the old connectors. But with a little ingenuity it should fire right right up once I get it in.

The 3.4 didnít run and needs to be rebuilt. I was driving the 93. And then I blew a head gasket about a month ago. The 88 came stock with a 3.0, so just to get it running and driving I redid the top end on the 3.0 so I can drive it while I decide how I want to rebuild the the 3.4. And having a parts truck is great, the 88 needs a lot of little things which so far the compatibility between the 93 and the 88 have been good minus the coil and tps and the distributor

Hereís a little update on the build. Waiting for a new distributor cap and rotor, wires, and a coil. Also found out the fuel pump is dead. Going to pull the pump out of the 93 and see if it will fit. I know it works and then hopefully it will fire up. I rerouted the cooking passage with some spare tubing off the spare 3.0 I had laying around. Also deleted the hoses and hard lines to the rear heater, someone had already capped the ends figured I would just take them all out all together. Also the exhaust from the 93 doesnít fit which doesnít make sense cause itís from a 3.0 and a non lifted body but yet it hits the body when I put it in so I cut it into oieces that I can make work for now until I build a new exhaust for it. Thinking about going 3 inch on it with no car and flow master super 40. But we will see whatís in the budget when I get there. All in all Iím hoping to have this started by next week.

Side note. The ignition is broken out and Iím using a screw driver to turn the truck on. Iím thinking about putting a push button start along with toggle switches for the ignition, electric fan, and wiring up the fuel pump.

Sorry itís been so long. I had to have surgery. Almost done with recovery. But a little update. I have it all together and put a set of headers on the 3.0 to help with an exhaust issue I had with the stock exhaust. Went to start it and the fuel pump is bad. Waiting to pull the tank out of the 93 to swap it over and direct wire the pump. Should have it running in a few weeks I hope.

So got it running but it wont rev over 1500 rpms. it will rev up to 1500 then drop down to about 600 rpm and then just bounces. i think there may be something going on with the fuel pressure. i had to use the tank out the 93 for the pump and the tank. the old tank out of the 88 was super rusty and pump and sending unit were junk. Also there's a knocking noise coming from either the bell housing or the engine. so ill have to see which one it is. im hoping its a bolt in rubbing on the bell housing but we will see. Put some headers on the 3.0 made the exhaust real easy to re-plum.

You seem to take obstacles in stride... I'm having issues getting my new turbo to seal up and get it road ready and it's driving me insane! I admire your patience and tenacity... good job bro
will be watching your build